Luke 22:63-71
63 Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. 64 They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.
66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”
Reflection
The authorities of the world plot to conquer the Prince of Heaven. They fail to recognize, however, that they are actually fulfilling God’s plan to conquer sin and death through their evil scheme. Had we been there, hopefully we would have protested the injustice and begged God to stop it. But the plan of God is elaborate and wise. Though Christ’s enemies intended to do him harm, God intended it for good (cf. Gen. 50:20). Jesus’ suffering for our salvation should always remind us that God ultimately rules over all events of the universe and works all things for his own glorious purposes (cf. Rom. 11:26).
1 Timothy 4:6-16
6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Reflection
Even though Paul criticized the severe abstinence promoted by some, he was by no means opposed to spiritual discipline for the purpose of godliness. In fact, he commands it, not to earn God’s favor but to enjoy the blessings it offers now and in the life to come (1 Tim. 4:7–8).
To some ears, the command to “train [or discipline] yourself for godliness” (v. 7) may seem like legalistic rule-keeping. But the difference is profound. Legalism imagines, “I will do this thing to gain merit or favor from God,” while godly training says, “I will do this because I love God and want to please him.” Remember that this same Paul who commands spiritual discipline passionately opposed legalism and cursed it as a “different gospel” (cf. Gal. 1:6–8). Paul commanded Christians to be hard-working and disciplined, but he also taught us that all our efforts should be motivated and empowered by the grace of God in the gospel (1 Cor. 15:10).
Psalm 56:12-13
12 I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you. 13 For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.
Love the gospel and work hard in the strength that God gives you through the gospel. Pray that you would be a disciplined man or woman of God who takes his Word seriously and battles fervently to walk in his ways.